Feeling he could get open. Feeling he could make plays. Feeling unstoppable.

"He just told me to keep coming back to him," Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas said. "So I kept coming back to him."

Call Thomas a smart man.

In a game overflowing with scintillating offensive performances, Tuinei perhaps shined brightest, making eight receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns to earn offensive MVP honors. His yardage ranks ninth in the 98-year history of the Rose Bowl.

"I was just out there trying to help this team win," Tuinei said. "I was out there doing my job and doing my thing. If the ball came my way I knew I was going to catch the ball. That was my mentality going into the game."

His performance seems even more impressive given that Tuinei entered the game having never before reached the 100-yard mark in a game. His season high of 90 against Missouri State on Sept. 17 was also his career high.

View full sizeBruce Ely / The OregonianOregon Ducks wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei catches the ball as The University of Oregon faces the University of Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

Each of his two scores Monday -- from three and 11 yards out -- gave the Ducks the lead, with the latter touchdown producing the game winning points.

Ever the team player, Tuinei chose as his favorite play one in which he didn't touch the football.

The play came in the third quarter when running back De'Anthony Thomas ran right to left with Tuinei aligned far left. Tuinei slanted inside and erased hard charging Wisconsin safety Desmen Southward with a block, helping to allow Thomas to run 64 yards untouched down the left sideline for a touchdown that made the score 35-28, Oregon.

"I think that one right there set the tempo for this team," he said.

Maybe so. But it was Tuinei who set the tone and made play after play all game long.

On the Ducks' first drive he caught a 35-yard pass to the Wisconsin 1-yard line, leading to a touchdown run for running back LaMichael James to make the score 7-7.

Tuinei's three-yard touchdown reception with 30 seconds remaining in the first half made the score 28-28. On the play, Tuinei ran a "return route." He slanted in from the left side, stopped, pivoted and returned back to the sideline for the reception.

His 11-yard touchdown reception put the Ducks ahead for good, 42-38. The play involved two crossing routes with Josh Huff, the inside receiver, running shallow and Tuinei, the outside receiver, running deep. Huff drew the middle safety and Tuinei beat the cornerback. Darron Thomas found Tuinei open in the back of the end zone.

Thomas said Tuinei's preparation by studying Wisconsin's tendencies helped him find open spots.

Thomas also went to Tuinei when he was covered, like on a seam pass down the middle in which Tuinei made a leaping grab for a big gain.

"L.T.'s one of those versatile guys," Thomas said. "He can catch high. He can catch low. He's been consistent not only in games but all year in practice. That's one of the things that's paid off for him."

Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said he enjoyed seeing Tuinei make his last UO performance one to remember.

"Very proud of him," Helfrich said. "Everything kind of came to fruition for him tonight. He's played in spots really, really well. He's always been really good in the running game, that dirty work that he does. But it was neat to see the other part of it."

Tuinei, who ended his UO career with 108 receptions, 1,212 yards and 12 touchdowns, said he's never minded being overshadowed by the play of running backs, James, Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas.

"I really don't care about the fame and all eyes on me," Tuinei said. "I just go out there and help this teams win. Those guys are special."